The managed services industry is on track to reach a $296.38 billion valuation by the year 2023.
Millions of businesses throughout the country are making use of managed service providers to help with everything from customer service to SEO. Managed Information Technology (or I.T.) service providers are in particularly high demand.
If you’ve been considered managed I.T. services for your business, keep reading. Explained below is everything you need to know about the benefits of these services, as well as how you can find the right company to work with your business.
What Are Managed I.T. Services?
Managed I.T. services involve outsourcing all or some of your business’s I.T. needs to a third-party contractor. This company or individual handles everything from data security and technology and network maintenance.
Instead of having a full-time I.T. expert on your staff, you’ll work with this third-party company and pay them a flat monthly or yearly fee in exchange for their services.
Benefits of Managed I.T. Services
There are lots of reasons why you might want to work with a managed I.T. service provider. The following are some of the many benefits they have to offer businesses of all sizes:
Risk Reduction
Regardless of the size of your business, there’s always a potential for an I.T. issue to occur. From data breaches to problems with specific software programs, there’s plenty that can go wrong on a day-to-day basis.
When you work with a managed I.T. service provider, it’s easier for you to avoid serious risks, especially when it comes to security issues. With their manpower and top-notch technology, they can help you keep your company locked down much better than a single I.T. professional could.
Proactivity
Working with a managed I.T. service provider helps you to be proactive rather than reactive, too. Instead of constantly trying to put out fires, you can work with professionals who help you fireproof your business.
This isn’t to say that accidents or breaches can’t ever happen. However, they’re much less likely to occur when you have the right service provider on your side.
Better Budgeting
Having a full-time I.T. professional on your staff can get expensive, fast. Not only are you paying them a salary or hourly wage, but you also have to worry about paying for certain benefits, as well as the cost of the equipment they need to do their job properly.
It’s much more affordable to work with a managed I.T. service provider. It’s easier to budget their costs, too.
Level Playing Field
If you want to remain competitive in 2020 and beyond, you need to make sure you’re investing in a strong security plan for your business.
Working with an I.T. service provider will help you stay competitive with other businesses in your industry. It also helps you to ensure you’re not vulnerable to data breaches or other problems that could drain your bank account or cause you to lose customers.
Compliance
It’s not always easy to keep up with the latest laws and industry regulations when it comes to I.T. If you work with a managed I.T. service provider, though, you won’t’ have to worry as much about staying informed when it comes to these matters. It’s their job to stay up to date on the latest changes and ensure your business is complying with them.
Choosing the Right Service for Your Business
Do these benefits sound pretty good to you? Don’t go ahead and hire the first managed I.T. service provider you find online.
First, it’s important to know what you need to look for in a particular company before giving them your business. Here are some key factors you ought to keep in mind:
Know Your Goals
Start by thinking about the specific goals and needs of your company. What kinds of I.T. services do you need help with? What kind of expertise do you need to keep your business up and running?
Answering these questions will help you narrow down your search and avoid working with companies that aren’t a good fit.
Ask for Recommendations
If you have friends who work with a managed I.T. service provider, reach out to them and see if they would recommend them for your needs. Pay attention to the specifics of their recommendation (if they offer one) so you can determine whether or not you’ll work well with a particular service provider.
Read Reviews
It also helps to read reviews or testimonials from past clients. Do some digging, especially on third-party review sites, to see what these people have to say about working with a specific provider.
Schedule an Interview
Once you have a list of a few viable candidates, reach out to them and ask to schedule an interview or consultation. This gives you a chance to talk face-to-face (or at least voice-to-voice) and learn more about the company, as well as the specific I.T. services they offer.
Ask for References
During the interview process, ask the provider for references. Then, reach out to those references and talk to them about their experience.
Were they generally satisfied? If anything went wrong, what was it and how did the provider go about fixing the problem? Would they work with this company again?
Take Your Time
When searching for the right managed IT services, remember to be patient. Don’t pick the first company you can find because you’re eager to save money. Compare all your options and read through reviews and testimonials carefully to ensure you’re making the best decision.
Keep in mind that it’s better to be patient than it is to jump into the wrong partnership and spend a lot of time and money turning things around later.
Is Managed I.T. Right for You?
Now that you know more about the benefits of managed I.T. services, as well as how to choose a good service for your business, are you ready to start your search?
Keep the information explained above in mind and you’ll be able to find a managed service provider that meets your needs and helps you keep your company secure.
Want to learn more about growing and securing your business? Check out some of the other resources on our site today for additional information.